[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6306757,"mediaKeyId","2436644-c90678151a53bdc83683eb49fe47a6ef","parentId",2436644,"title","Senators press nominee on Red Hill closure, Pearl Harbor dry dock overruns and Fallon infrastructure","audioSeconds",205,"startMs",6232635,"endMs",6438620,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436644-c90678151a53bdc83683eb49fe47a6ef&start=6232&end=6438","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436644-c90678151a53bdc83683eb49fe47a6ef/thumbnail_6232635.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6306757/Senators-press-nominee-on-Red-Hill-closure-Pearl-Harbor-dry-dock-overruns-and-Fallon-infrastructure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306757-0b02545027971379a607ad5b80c6bef1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506318&Signature=OAn7rd2JPbT0UzdwvF1NfuAWyEuSBuPfJ6qa4Rmx6taAw~Fr9CBvu8WEP5PORDak7MR6bjQ-2PlkZDOQi1MHfChB7R-Y-87gAf9umWfEnmluqwa996h7x1fwfm8qTFsSpWyqC~AYG49ZDY-0w79zxHq3BA1YRkT0sONxzkXJn1FHx4UfVHfEIuPnAWszRYhoI71Xn-xBz2N3fIB04j6YwX1xyCwwkAnJfVxmSWPEn5O35ZQvg-Pn4LIVhHPNXvQjlkc6f2eUaZY~NHbam-DsaK~iCcWjXlCiVzZOIB6mRf3nD9qxBronsvjddMSzQFMZl-nR17H3esBkb6OCzh2ojA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","Several senators used the hearing to press John Phelan on local infrastructure and environmental issues affecting bases and communities.

Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii asked Phelan to commit to a transparent, fully resourced closure of the Red Hill fuel facility and remediation work that has affected drinking water on Oahu. Phelan said he was \"committed to a full review of the issues at Red Hill\" and to fixing issues for which the Navy is responsible.

Senator Hirono and others raised cost overruns on a new dry dock at Pearl Harbor that the hearing record described as the largest construction project in the Department of Defense at \"nearly $4,500,000,000,\" with an $834,000,000 increase cited in committee discussion. Phelan said he would review the project and was prepared to brief the committee on steps to prevent further cost growth.

Senator Rosen of Nevada pressed Phelan on the Fallon Range Training Complex modernization and compensation for grazing permit holders whose permits will be displaced by range expansion. Rosen said the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan was often misunderstood by other Defense leaders and urged careful treatment of landowners; Phelan agreed to hold a stakeholder Zoom and to examine compensation offers.

Why it matters: base infrastructure and environmental issues affect service readiness and local communities. Cost growth on major construction projects raises congressional oversight and budget concerns.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","To consider the nomination of Mr. John C. Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy (Audio)","oneSentenceSummary","Senators from Hawaii, Nevada and elsewhere asked John Phelan to commit to completing the Red Hill closure process, to exercise oversight of a nearly $4.5 billion dry dock project at Pearl Harbor with recent cost increases, and to address Fallon Range Training Complex compensation and housing shortfalls.","taxTitle","Armed Services: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1987,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6306760,"Phelan: expand munitions production and use contracting reforms to boost capacity",725,2001335,2726385,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436644-c90678151a53bdc83683eb49fe47a6ef&start=2001&end=2726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436644-c90678151a53bdc83683eb49fe47a6ef/thumbnail_2001335.jpg","/articles/6306760/Phelan-expand-munitions-production-and-use-contracting-reforms-to-boost-capacity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306760-2423873a5cdfb5b601e83c83c0076305/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506318&Signature=eGaArxRroMGDSjEXCmwrQ8Wl1ZtDziwhZ6N1Yb4Xfm8aI60ZUqgjma1JZkhij7Zkw~tD0K9AF60cB5gDk2D5McDhGQGTFK9R-OVLhUeO6lWT7aFOP~MdQbBodYoyax1K1TlCSN2E3n-DMqFObiKuhUqTKoNetZeOdFsY4S627UbuyIhLiF0~x18COXWuxyJ8dyLF690xnA8vKjCdp3vnjPe8k2CCHy69CmaWYuzWFq5v8s99Yl6co0QCb4I8O8m4nglQv6kO~ivwcvjuWhp0j3uAFxgoOZpHDyYX9OhP3ebtDRtC8tiUkBcQvnDO9PvgWTmUFXs6ZNh2kAkM8wLEdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators used John Phelan's nomination hearing to press for action on munitions shortages revealed by recent conflicts. Phelan said the United States is at \"a critical shortage\" of munitions and that expanding production and using existing excess capacity are necessary.

Senator Sarah Fisher asked whether Phelan would follow statutory requirements to fund development of the nuclear sea‑launched cruise missile (referred to in the hearing by some witnesses) and whether he would consider establishing additional shipyards dedicated to nuclear warship construction, a recommendation from the Strategic Posture Commission. Phelan said he would follow statutory requirements and would be open to exploring additional shipyard capacity if confirmed.

On munitions specifically, Phelan told the committee he supports incentivizing private investment in munitions plants and making contracting decisions that provide the industry with clarity and demand signals: \"ordering and giving them a contract to build, I think, will be critical,\" he said. He also said he would review existing munitions contracts to identify potential roadblocks to scaling production and would encourage using foreign military sales to create additional demand signals for industry.

Why it matters: munitions stock levels and production capacity underpin sustained operations. Committee members highlighted facilities with unused capacity and urged the nominee to prioritize funding and contracting changes so production lines can run at full rates.

Senators asked Phelan to review contracts across shipbuilding and munitions for terms that misallocate risk or hinder scalability; Phelan agreed to examine contract language and return to the committee with findings.","Senators pressed John Phelan on U.S. munitions shortfalls and proposals to expand manufacturing capacity, use existing excess lines, and accelerate foreign military sales to signal demand; Phelan said he would review contracts and incentivize private sector investment if confirmed.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6306765,"Nominee pledges accountability on maintenance, audits and quality‑of‑life issues",4274,191660,4466275,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436644-c90678151a53bdc83683eb49fe47a6ef&start=191&end=4466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436644-c90678151a53bdc83683eb49fe47a6ef/thumbnail_191660.jpg","/articles/6306765/Nominee-pledges-accountability-on-maintenance-audits-and-qualityoflife-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306765-5a0fb6931ac52307e3bebcefa349671e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506318&Signature=mXrbiE2l7UVpxRHyKc1wbULEFVlzZhxESeATlPYvr1tYZKDll6jZluCHx5SfJUQ9SqZzSf-CrzN2DWpdN0Do-nZh1IOgXfRKAt9XPq72ld6QEOpHgwrnF197nn60gSNgDykPwpLYjXhcaIKlLstqCPWSptbDKDxoXgLVnj2H-9bLf3BhrJtxKso8uU-NpSTnAXIy8rm5EZ5eKU2q9kUnts4Wq-FQIO0AcKblsTja9VSv-HkscG4KNzvmZre7c-eRFLQHkJWlZ3t~mY8XVJgdYon6HypwyFio1t7FTgURAgtemrALGQeCmWjDtjip1bJdQXrwuCTPawzUCq4jNUy3Bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Phelan told senators that restoring operational readiness requires a renewed focus on maintenance, audits and quality‑of‑life improvements that affect recruiting and retention.

Phelan said sailors have been \"trained on fewer than half the required maintenance tasks and only have enough time to accomplish 40% of required maintenance,\" a pattern he called unsustainable. He said audit failures and unknown inventory locations impede training and readiness: \"If we don't know where our inventory is, how can we have a training mission?\" he asked.

Senator Ernst and Senator Warren asked Phelan about reforms to ensure financial transparency and better contracting practices. Phelan said he would review why the Department of the Navy has not passed required audits, examine systems that should track equipment, and return to the committee with answers and timelines. On contracting, Senator Warren raised concerns that contractors sometimes limit the Navy's access to technical data needed for maintenance; Phelan said he planned an in‑depth review of contract terms and data rights and would report back.

Quality‑of‑life issues surfaced repeatedly. Senators raised housing shortages at remote installations including Fallon, Nevada, and supply chain delays that contribute to a $1.8 billion backlog of deferred maintenance cited by Senator Ernst. Phelan agreed to convene stakeholders and explore solutions such as public–private partnerships, but said many fixes require a combination of funding, better contracting and workforce stability.

Why it matters: maintenance and audit problems reduce the number of deployable ships and the time ships are available for missions. Senators framed audit compliance, inventory visibility and right‑to‑repair access as essential to operational effectiveness and to reducing avoidable contractor travel costs and downtime.","John Phelan told the Senate Armed Services Committee he would prioritize maintenance, audits and sailors' quality of life to improve readiness, and he committed to review inventory and audit shortfalls if confirmed.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6306771,"Senators press nominee Phelan on shipbuilding delays, workforce and industrial base",1412,70145,1482720,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436644-c90678151a53bdc83683eb49fe47a6ef&start=70&end=1482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436644-c90678151a53bdc83683eb49fe47a6ef/thumbnail_70145.jpg","/articles/6306771/Senators-press-nominee-Phelan-on-shipbuilding-delays-workforce-and-industrial-base","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306771-a3c2cd77bb2a1324d16846782fe91ca8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506318&Signature=Kr59v8Up61urrkk7x71YibMLLx9Es-qbws2CZu5jnX8E8riJ3BvoL2hzpPz2sAMInBguZSx~c65RSRe7-dw8I0sxMaS9JDPZw4fCFRJgIe~HnXI~SavVvBs92HHVstyma9CGOIFqD6UBdNjMkq4dIE-M5P8IVYjHTlCH8LVls4~HYfnySGzlSW0ZMYQnGeMO0GznmEz0jVPsuG0k3JchNddrYZ~mbtr1LNk3LxDGZQt99tVUz02mVMDPtBBtowz-sfwj-92mE19seUSIJhcmUKtUHAvqRrhd5l9gRNbVfHd4wn7MRUYXu-KmvqsA~IFs60S1OL2-NrpZCsbGSyrQNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators told John Phelan at his confirmation hearing that stabilizing shipbuilding and the industrial base is his top priority if confirmed as secretary of the Navy. Committee members cited delayed programs, cost overruns and workforce shortages as structural obstacles to growing the fleet.

Chairman Wicker said the Navy remains \"woefully short\" of the statutory requirement of 355 ships and noted that plans showing growth to 315 ships by 2025 had not materialized; the hearing record cited 287 ships in 2025. Senators named specific programs that are behind schedule: Ford‑class carriers, Virginia‑class submarines, Columbia‑class ballistic‑missile submarines, and the Constellation‑class frigate.

Phelan told the committee he would visit shipyards and \"take some of the best practices from those yards, some of the best practices from some of the foreign yards as well to learn.\" He said incentives that \"telegraph demand\"—for example, measures in the SHIPS Act—could induce private investment in yards, apprenticeships and training programs. He also said he would review existing contracts and consider restructuring those that allocate disproportionate risk to the government.

On submarines, senators emphasized the Columbia program's role in the nuclear deterrent and asked Phelan to prioritize funds and workforce to keep schedules. Senator Sullivan noted commitments to Australia that increase demand on submarine construction. Phelan said he would conduct root‑cause analyses and examine whether contracts need renegotiation.

Senators raised productivity and competition, suggesting greater use of allies' shipbuilding capacity, component competition, and benchmarking ship availability against commercial operators such as Maersk or cruise lines. Phelan agreed to explore automation and digital design tools to reduce change orders and to examine 3‑D printing and other manufacturing improvements.

Why it matters: shipbuilding pace, cost and workforce directly determine how quickly the Navy can expand and modernize the fleet. Senators framed the issue as central to deterrence against near‑peer competitors that are expanding naval capacity.

Phelan and senators referenced existing plans and investments including the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan (SIOP) and the SHIPS Act; Phelan committed to follow up with senators after fact‑finding visits to shipyards.","Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee pressed John Phelan on persistent shipbuilding delays, workforce shortages, and proposals to reinvigorate the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base, including use of incentives, the SHIPS Act and public‑private investments.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6306775,"Senate Armed Services Committee hears John Phelan on shipbuilding, readiness and personnel",7356,13695,7369880,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2436644-c90678151a53bdc83683eb49fe47a6ef&start=13&end=7369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2436644-c90678151a53bdc83683eb49fe47a6ef/thumbnail_13695.jpg","/articles/6306775/Senate-Armed-Services-Committee-hears-John-Phelan-on-shipbuilding-readiness-and-personnel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6306775-a2699a4dd7f249d17e83423f541364cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506318&Signature=ofLI6dVvowFt40v2xX5p0k6VYSm4zeniHInz382s53BJ6-Hgua~6FvJFG~3njRyGx8ycVSK6pIhU3l3LGCDhniZKrVt2jw6evpZiotONwKMVrqMU7DB2cevrAXpuHYpk8-RpIHVVvTW60aeAy3TTsBv9NFtaAJ8E4Yh7HHwGB6x9ORqEqdlIQgooTmjxArlkfOd2YnSha9Z~oKSaMeGKdjvASCM1O73yl34pR2PechxR3Lw4~d1~hE1jbglZcpk5oc0-HVZx2ai9r7TZiIAbO6y0aXmwcjvKWUVXrgusvVlMIEy7KIA1lRW7zsI5gIN5AiEvkEIKroldYPH9OEhrCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Phelan, President Trump's nominee to be secretary of the Navy, appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday and laid out three priorities if confirmed: the health, welfare and training of sailors and marines; strengthening naval capabilities, particularly shipbuilding and the defense industrial base; and fostering an adaptive, accountable and innovative warfighter culture.

Phelan told the committee, \"If confirmed, my focus will be on 3 priorities, the health, welfare, and training of sailors and marines, strengthening naval capabilities, particularly shipbuilding and the defense industrial base, and fostering an adaptive, accountable, and innovative warfighter culture.\" He said the Navy faces \"extended deployments, inadequate maintenance, huge cost overruns, delayed ship building, failed audits, subpar housing, and sadly, record high suicide rates.\"

Why it matters: senators from both parties used the hearing to press Phelan on long‑running problems that affect readiness and strategy: the Navy is below the statutory goal of 355 battle force ships, recent shipbuilding plans have fallen short of projected growth, and maintenance and personnel shortfalls strain deployments. Ranking member Reid and Chairman Wicker emphasized that any nominee must work with Congress and industry to accelerate construction, improve maintenance and restore accountability.

Committee members asked Phelan to commit to follow laws governing staffing reductions and transparency. Phelan repeatedly answered that he had read press accounts of a proposed Department of Defense plan to cut up to 8% of the defense budget and related reductions in civilian positions and that, if confirmed, he would \"follow all laws\" and review documentation with the committee. He told senators he will \"go in there, take a look\" at contracts that govern shipbuilding, munitions and maintenance to determine where risk is allocated and whether restructuring is needed.

Senators pressed him on specific programs, including the Columbia‑class ballistic missile submarine, the Virginia‑class attack submarine, and the Constellation‑class frigate, all cited in the hearing as facing schedule or cost issues. Phelan said he plans to conduct root‑cause reviews, visit shipyards, and use incentives to telegraph demand to the private sector so industry will invest in workforce and infrastructure.

Several members pressed Phelan on quality‑of‑life items tied to recruiting and retention: housing shortages, child care, and base infrastructure in remote locations such as Fallon, Nevada. He agreed to engage stakeholders and investigate solutions if confirmed. He also said he would review Navy audit and inventory issues and come back to the committee with a plan to meet statutorily required audit milestones.

The record from the hearing will remain open for two days for questions for the record; no committee vote was held during the hearing.

Less urgent details: Senators offered examples and local concerns—Senator Shaheen and others cited the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan (SIOP), Senator Rosen raised Fallon and compensation for grazing permits tied to Fallon Range Training Complex modernization, and Senator Hirono asked for a commitment to see the Red Hill closure and remediation process through. Phelan agreed to pursue those items if confirmed.","John Phelan, President Trump's nominee for secretary of the Navy, told the Senate Armed Services Committee he would prioritize sailors' health and training, shipbuilding and reviving the defense industrial base. Senators pressed him on shipbuilding delays, maintenance backlogs, recruitment, audits and proposed civilian workforce cuts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senators press nominee on Red Hill closure, Pearl Harbor dry dock overruns and Fallon infrastructure

Phelan: expand munitions production and use contracting reforms to boost capacity

Nominee pledges accountability on maintenance, audits and quality‑of‑life issues

Senators press nominee Phelan on shipbuilding delays, workforce and industrial base

Senate Armed Services Committee hears John Phelan on shipbuilding, readiness and personnel